The Toyota Cheetahs team to face the Western Force on Saturday in the new NIB Stadium in Perth has been named.
Coach Naka Drotské has stayed with the team that beat the Waratahs, with only the injuries to Cheetahs star pivot Johan Goosen, and the abrasive Frans Viljoen forcing any change.
Riaan “True Blue” Smit, who played in the last five matches of last years’ Super 15 with success, will replace the injured Johan Goosen, which sees Burtin Francis taking Smit’s place on the bench. Francis, who was not part of the original Cheetahs squad, as he only joined Griquas in January, has played Super Rugby for the Bulls, Lions and Stormers before, so is by no means a rookie. Smit who is a very versatile player, is also a reliable goal kicker, albeit not as accomplished from the kind of distances that Johan Goosen can kick from. He has played well as a wing initially, and later as the stand in flyhalf. Wing Willie le Roux is also an able goal kicker, should the need arise.
Heinrich Brüssow wil replace Frans Viljoen in the starting team, a move that would likely have taken place anyway, although arguably a few matches later. This sees Bok Seven’s star, Boom Prinsloo back on the bench. Boom is a very underrated loose forward with lots of skill. He has been on the fringes of the Cheetahs team since last year, and is gaining valuable experience.
Despite losing the services of Goosen, who has just started finding form, continuity should see the Cheetahs prevent a similiar implosion to that which we saw last year. Smit has been in the loop long enough, and there shouldn’t be any problems with his shift to flyhalf. Willie le Roux could well alternate with him during play.
The victory over the Reds will also have infused the Western Force with confidence, and will simultaneously ensure that the Cheetahs are under no illusions of the task that awaits. Their should be no complacency. It is another tough match on tour, and if they can prevail, it will be the Cheetahs best tour yet, and they will be only the second South African team to achieve a hattrick of wins on tour.
VRYSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
Frans Ludicrous hitting the panic button, or does he see the Reds as easy prey?
Nine changes, some injury enforced.
Zane Kirchner, Lionel Mapoe, JJ Engelbrecht, Francois Venter, Bjorn Basson, Louis Fouche, Jano Vermaak, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Grant Hattingh, Paul Willemse, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Morne Mellett.
Replacements : Willie Wepener, Frik Kirsten, Juandre Kruger, Jacques Potgieter, Ruan Snyman, Morne Steyn, Jan Serfontein.
2 @ Cheetah4eva:
Louis Fouche? Is he not just another kick merchant?
@ Loosehead:
Lol, he likes his up and unders that is for sure. I don’t know if he is the answer against Quade Cooper, but both sides were poor the past week.
Rebels
1. Nic Henderson
2. Ged Robinson
3. Laurie Weeks*
4. Hugh Pyle
5. Luke Jones
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. Scott Fuglistaller
8. Gareth Delve (c)
9. Nick Phipps
10. James O’Connor
11. Cooper Vuna
12. Lachlan Mitchell
13. Mitch Inman
14. Jason Woodward^
15. Angus Roberts
16. Shota Horie
17. Paul Alo-Emile
18. Cadeyrn Neville
19. Jordy Reid
20. Nic Stirzaker
21. Rory Sidey
22. Richard Kingi
Stormers:
Stormers: J. Pietersen, G Aplon, J De Jong, J De Villiers, G Vd Heever, E Jantjies, D Duvenhage, D Vermeulen, R Elstadt, S Kolisi, A Bekker, D Steenkamp, F Malherbe, T Liebenberg, S Kitshoff
Replacements: Fourie, Cilliers, Armand, Carr, Groom, De Allende, Taute
Sharks:
Tendai Mtawarira, Kyle Cooper, Wiehahn Herbst
Pieter-Steph du Toit, Franco van der Merwe
Jacques Botes, Marcell Coetzee, Keegan Daniel (Captain)
Cobus Reinach, Patrick Lambie
Lwazi Mvovo, Meyer Bosman, Paul Jordaan, JP Pietersen, Louis Ludik.
Replacements:
Craig Burden, Jannie du Plessis, Jandre Marais, Ryan Kankowski
Charl McLeod, Francois Steyn, Riaan Viljoen
Frans Steyn dropped?
yes cause his fat and overrated
Preferred his windgat and with long hair, at least he played good rugga then
So with Kanko being dropped who will call the Sharks lineouts?
@ Loosehead:
Party line is Jannie has a “paternity week” and carrying a “minor knee injury”.
Fransie to a get a week of conditioning lol
Bresler and Ludik injured
10 @ Loosehead:
Huh? Where you been this season Loosie? Franco has been doing the calls.
12 @ Puma:
Uhm, I refer you to your and Sharkies comments about how sublime Kanko is at calling the lineouts. They should be back in the CC threads when he was on sabaticle in Japan.
13 @ Loosehead:
I would have had Kanko start this game ahead of Keegan. Keegan does not seem match fit to me was not great last week. Kanko at least got us a try. Also good in the lineouts.
Yes I know Kanko called the calls last year, but that was then. Franco is doing the calls this year.
14 @ Puma:
Hey, when the choice is Kanko or Daniels, I would also go for Kanko.
The lineout thing, just baiting you mate.
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